Following a three-week trial, a jury found Manville Police Chief Thomas Herbst guilty on four charges of official misconduct related to inappropriate and sexually assaultive behavior, marking a significant victory for New Jersey’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability on Thursday.
The crimes took place both inside and outside the office, frequently while Herbst was on duty, and the victims were subordinates.
Herbst allegedly engaged in sexual harassment, touching, and exposing himself to police department staff for thirteen years, including a serious sexual assault on the main victim, according to the prosecution.
Herbst was also found guilty of asking a police officer’s wife for sexual favors in return for good job choices and promotions, including requesting oral sex from the subordinate’s wife in exchange for a promotion. The jury also concluded that Herbst had demanded a timetable adjustment in exchange for sexually explicit pictures of the wife of another subordinate.
Herbst tortured his victims and exploited his position of authority for years. Attorney General Matt Platkin stated that today’s conviction demonstrates that no one is above the law. My office will continue to hold corrupt officials accountable in New Jersey at a time when corruption protections and prosecutions are being undermined nationwide. We will keep serving the public and protecting victims.
Jurors also discovered that Herbst used his police credentials to get out of a traffic infraction while he was suspended and visited pornographic websites while at work.
Platkin commended the OPIA for Herbst’s prosecution.
He stated, “I am so proud of them because they do the hard, selfless work of investigating and trying these cases every day.”
With assistance from Assistant Attorney General Andrew Wellbrook, the case was pursued by Deputy Bureau Chief Marian Galietta, Deputy Attorneys General Niccole L. Sandora, and Diana Bibb.
On April 10, Tober will be sentenced by Superior Court Judge Peter Tober.
